SpaceX plans to launch its Dragon spacecraft into low-Earth orbit atop a Falcon 9 rocket. During the mission, Dragon's sensors and flight systems will be subject to a series of tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the space station. If NASA decides Dragon is ready, the vehicle will attach to the station and astronauts will open Dragon's hatch and unload the cargo onboard.

Once SpaceX demonstrates the ability to carry cargo to the space station, it will begin to fulfill its Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract for NASA for at least 12 missions to carry cargo to and from the space station.

crash

I dropped by SpaceX Launch Control, at Cape Canaveral, last week to see if they had any merchandise to sell. I was mildly surprised to find it all locked up and empty of staff.

Fingers crossed for them.

Gonzo

Agreed - fingers crossed. However, keep 'em crossed for another week. Today's launch was delayed until "at least next Monday".

Robert Pearlman

quote:Originally posted by Gonzo:Today's launch was delayed until "at least next Monday".

Not sure if this was meant as a joke, but in case it was not, today's firing was only an engine test; no delay, the launch remains set for Monday, May 7.

SpaceKSCBlog

quote:Originally posted by crash:...to see if they had any merchandise to sell.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex gift shop has a few SpaceX items. Apparently they just went on sale today.

They have a Dragon polo shirt, a SpaceX T-shirt, a Dragon cap and COTS-2 patch.

And it's fine that they offer patches at KSCVC for this flight. I was looking for SpaceX patches before and the only ones I could find were the Malaysian copies...

crash

Thanks for the update, guys. The weather I left behind in Florida at the weekend was glorious so it's a great pity to see it change for them.

It was perfect for the Atlas launch which was originally planned for the 27th which was the reason I switched work schedules to be there.

I did pop in to the KSCVC store but there was no sign of those items on Thursday/Friday. Next time I visit maybe or eBay.

Gonzo

quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:Not sure if this was meant as a joke, but in case it was not, today's firing was only an engine test; no delay, the launch remains set for Monday, May 7.

Robert, it wasn't meant as a joke. That would just be cruel!

But, correct me if I'm wrong but yesterday's test firing was originally scheduled as the launch some time back. It wasn't until yesterday when I tuned in to listen (at work) I found out the launch was postponed until next Monday. Did I miss something?

Robert Pearlman

quote:Originally posted by Gonzo:Did I miss something?

April 30 had been targeted for the launch but SpaceX announced they were delaying on April 23.

J Blackburn

I just ordered my SpaceX hat, shirt, and several patches from the KSC gift shop. As always the staff was very helpful and took care of my order requests.

In case anyone is wants to know the prices:

The hat is $19.99

The t-shirt is $15.99 (has SpaceX logo on front and Dragon emblem and word Dragon in silver on back according to KSC gift shop staff.

Dragon patches are $5.99

Not sure about the polo shirts because I generally sew the patches on my own polo shirts when I wish to have a polo.

Hope this helps!

Gonzo

Just ordered the patch. As posted, the patches are $5.95 (their usual price for patches) and shipping was an additional $5.95 (with two other patches).

J Blackburn

Stephen, I wanted to say thank you for sharing the information about the Dragon merchandise at KSC. I would not have known about it if you had not posted the information since the merchandise is not listed on the online store.

I just received my SpaceX merchandise from the KSCVC. The hat is great looking and very well made. The T-shirt is 100% preshrunk and looks great. The Dragon emblem on the back has a slight metallic look (I like this).

The patch is approximately 4 inches in diameter and nicely made. Hats off to the KSC Space Shop for carrying SpaceX merchandise!!!!

johntosullivan

Anyone selling this in Europe? The KSC shipping is high (€18 to Ireland).

KAPTEC

Try with my friend Joe at Skyforce Space Patches. If he has not yet, surely will soon. And he has no charges for h&s worldwide.

butch wilks

I called the KSC shop from the UK and had the patch within three days. The shipping cost was not as much as to getting items from the USA to the UK off eBay. So very happy with the KSC shop on total cost of the patch.

Robert Pearlman

I may be mistaken, but I believe the patches and apparel were provided to the visitor complex by SpaceX directly, not through a third party and therefore may only be available through the visitor complex.

If so, then those interested should probably order soon, as the visitor complex's gift shop generally does not re-order stock for its previous launch-specific products.

GoesTo11

quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:I may be mistaken, but I believe the patches and apparel were provided to the visitor complex by SpaceX directly

For what it's worth, I received my Dragon merchandise literally minutes ago — a hat, polo shirt, and COTS-2 patch — and all three items had KSC store inventory stickers but the shirt had a SpaceX tag. Also, the Dragon hat is identical in manufacture and material to a cap I recently bought on eBay, which the seller said came directly from the SpaceX company store. These would seem to indicate that Robert is correct.

Ronpur

I got a hat and two patches from KSC Gift Shop a few weeks ago. Love the hat, and I wear it a lot. So far, no one has recognized it. Great service from KSC Gift Shop as always.

butch wilks

Just had a sticker for the SpaceX COTS 2/3 patch sent to me by Jacques and I see there are two types of patches, one is just COTS 2/3 and one COTS c2/3. I have not seen them before so I have been looking into them to see if I can get more info, but I've have a few email back from someone who I am getting a set of Spacex patches off, and he has it down as a fake?

But I am thinking they may be for the old COTS 2 and 3 missions patch to the ISS before they put the two missions together in the COTS 2 mission only. Plus it has the X-Prize on the top left of the patch, so is it the patch for SpaceX going for the X Prize?

If someone has more info on its background, it would help me out.

Apollo 8

I got the same beautiful sticker from Jacques. If you have a look here and here you will find out, this sticker is based on a patch design by MaxQentertainment. I think it would be best to contact Nathan Moeller, who is a member of our board, to get more information about that logo and the patches.